Please download and complete Canine Behavior Questionnaire or Feline Behavior Questionnaire prior to your first acupuncture appointment.
Behavior Consultations
More than half of all pet owners experience behavior problems with their pets. Unfortunately many times the early signs of a behavior problem may go unrecognized or little is done to try and treat the initial problem until it becomes more serious. Many pet owners often simply put up with the problem behavior and suffer the consequences or ultimately have to give their pet away. Fortunately many pet behavior problems are treatable. If help is sought early enough and if an appropriate treatment plan is followed often the behavior problem can be cured.
We are pleased to offer Behavior Consultations with Ilana Strubel, D.V.M., MA, a general practitioner with a special interest in animal behavior. Dr. Strubel is a member of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. She has recently completed a prestigious Donald G. Low-CVMA Practitioner Fellowship with the UC Davis Behavior Service. Additionally, Dr. Strubel regularly consults with Board Certified Veterinary Behavior Specialists regarding more challenging behavior problems and can assist in scheduling referrals if indicated.
Scheduling Consultations
Behavior consultations take approximately 1 - 2 hours and must be scheduled in advance during regular clinic hours. If possible, family members and any pet involved in the problem are requested to be present for the appointment.
The first part of every behavior consultation involves collecting a very thorough behavioral and medical history of your pet. Each pet owner will be asked to complete a behavioral history form in advance and return it to the clinic before the scheduled appointment if possible. Videotapes of the pet's behavior problem at home may sometimes be requested.
During the appointment the behavior consultant will ask further questions pertinent to the history of the problem and then determine a tentative diagnosis. Once a diagnosis of the main problem is made the consultant can help establish goals for its treatment. A full explanation of the pet's behavior problem and a personalized plan for solving the problem will be outlined and explained. Handouts to help implement the treatment plan will be included. If indicated - a demonstration on the use of training collars and/or head halters will be done. The cost of these training collars/halters is not included in the consultation fee.
If drug therapy is advised, it may be necessary to collect a blood sample for baseline values to help insure safety and to help avoid possible undesirable side effects. All animals given prescriptions for behavior medications will need to be closely monitored by the prescribing veterinarian.
The behavior consultant will make 2 follow-up phone calls during the first few weeks after the consultation to assist with any questions or problems that may arise. It is advised that all behavior modification protocols be instituted slowly to ensure greater long-term success. Depending on the type of behavior problem it may be necessary to introduce the training program in stages and a follow up visit in 1-2 months may be recommended. This can be scheduled as a regular 20-minute office visit with the behavior consultant or if desired a full hour could be allotted.
Behavior Consultation Questionnaire
Once you have scheduled your appointment with Dr. Strubel, we ask that you complete a comprehensive questionnaire that will help Dr. Strubel become familiar with the problems you are experiencing. We require that the questionnaire be returned to us at least 24 hours before the consultation appointment for Dr. Strubel to review. Any video recordings of problem behaviors are helpful and may be submitted in advance or during the appointment.
Completed questionnaires may be faxed to our office at (650) 359-9687, mailed, or delivered in person.
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